By Darryl John Esguerra and Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Monday brushed aside Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for a snap election involving all elected officials in the executive and legislative branches, calling it “wishful thinking” and irrelevant to the country’s pressing concerns.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Cayetano proposed that the President, Vice President, senators, and representatives resign and pave the way for a snap election, with incumbents barred from running for one election cycle.
He justified the suggestion by saying Filipinos had “lost trust in government and government officials,” adding that “politicians are suspects.”
The call comes amid a sweeping investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, which have stirred political controversy in recent weeks.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains focused on governance and disaster response, particularly assisting those affected by the recent disasters.
“It is just his wishful thinking. We do not have time to talk about one’s personal desires. Abala ang Pangulo na magtrabaho para sa bayan at tulungan ang mga naapektuhan ng lindol at bagyo. Wala po siyang oras sa mga ganitong klaseng pamumulitika,” Castro said.
She urged public officials to set aside political maneuvering and prioritize the people’s welfare.
“Mag-focus po tayong lahat sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan, hindi sa mga pansariling interes lang,” she added.
Sotto: No legal basis for snap elections; focus on accountability
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also dismissed Cayetano’s proposal for snap elections, saying there is no legal or constitutional basis to hold one.
“There is no legal, constitutional basis, or a framework to do that. I think it’s an opinion of a legislator so I will leave it at that. Hindi pwedeng gawin yun at the moment,” Sotto said in a press briefing at the Senate.
Sotto, however, stressed that restoring trust in government depends not on resetting the political system but on ensuring transparency in governance and accountability through the justice system.
“Well first of all, and I have vowed already, we will make sure that the budget process, as far as the Senate is concerned, will be transparent and accountable. Everything will be done within the purview of the public, that’s one,” he said.
Sotto also encouraged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to open its deliberations to the public to promote greater transparency.
“The most important of all is that the judiciary act well. In other words, may mga ma-prosecute, makulong, at ma-find guilty yung mga guilty. To make it short, those who are guilty are proven so and are sentenced,” Sotto said.
Sotto added the public will regain trust once it sees that government funds are being properly used, investigations are thorough, and the courts are delivering clear and fair outcomes.
When asked to comment on Cayetano’s suggestion for officials—including the President and members of Congress to resign to allow a “clean slate,” Sotto said such an idea would be unfair and impractical.
“It cannot be an option. What do you do with those who are not guilty? What do you do to those who are newly elected and have no bad records? What do you do with them? Idadamay mo dun sa mga guilty?” he said.
“If there are those who are corrupt, why should we involve those who are clean with those who are dirty? It’s very far-fetched as far as I’m concerned. We will be entering uncertainty and chaos in the political world kapag ganon,” he added.
